GUILTY^©

a.k.a. HE'S GUILTY
a.k.a. SEND THAT BOY TO JAIL
a.k.a. THE JUDGE SONG

Studio version

All rise

Well the judge and the jury came into the court room
Well about 9:30, the 23rd of Jun
Now we're here to try this boy for his crime
To see if we set him free or make him serve his time
Jury all got up in the chairs
He's guilty, he's guilty, send that boy to jail

George been speeding, running down his mother
Oh, stabbing his wife and strangling her lover
Well the court is ready to hear your plea
Son, are you guilty or not guilty
Jury all got up to hear his plea
He's guilty, he's guilty, don't let that boy go free

All rise

The judge and the jury came into the court room
Yeah about 10:30, this 23rd of Jun
Now we're here to try this boy for his crime
Well to see if we set him free or make him serve his time
Jury all got up in the chairs
He's guilty, he's guilty, send that boy to jail
He's guilty, he's guilty, send that boy to jail
He's guilty, he's guilty, send that boy to jail

Bruce wrote this song in summer 1969 after he was arrested for sneaking into the beach on the Jersey Shore to avoid the dollar admission fee. Recorded with Still Mill on 22 Feb 1970 at Fillmore Recording Studio, San Francisco, CA (read below). Robbin Thompson, the former Still Mill vocalist, recorded GUILTY for his 1985 album Better Late Than Never, and that recording was later included on the One Step Up / Two Steps Back tribute album. Check Robbin Thompson's version for more details.

One of Still Mill's most requested songs, performed with the band in the early years, during the second half of 1969 and in 1970 and 1971. There are at least 10 known live performances with Still Mill:
- 13 Jan 1970 at The Matrix, San Francisco, CA, check the live 13 Jan 1970 version
- 28 Feb 1970 at Free University, Richmond, VA
- 18 Apr 1970 at Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
- 24 Apr 1970 at Monmouth College, Long Branch, NJ
- 04 May 1970 at Monmouth College, Long Branch, NJ (read below), check the live 04 May 1970 version
- 23 May 1970 at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA (read below)
- 13 Jun 1970 at Ocean Ice Palace, Bricktown, NJ
- 14 Aug 1970 at 7Th And Marshall Street Parking, Richmond, VA
- 18 Jan 1971 at D' Scene, South Amboy, NJ
- 23 Jan 1971 at The Upstage, Asbury Park, NJ

The song later appeared during The Rising tour during a sound-check on 06 Mar 2003 at Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA (read below).

These lyrics refer to the studio version recorded on 22 Feb 1970 at Fillmore Recording Studio, San Francisco, CA. It appears on The Bruce Springsteen Story Vol. 3, The Unsurpassed Springsteen Vol 1, and Missing Tracks Vol. 1 bootlegs.

From Brucebase, about the 22 Feb 1970 recording at Fillmore Recording Studio, San Francisco, CA:

Written in the summer of 1969 and performed in concert regularly during the second half of 1969 and throughout 1970. After Robbin Thompson joined the band, the song tended to be slotted into the final stages of the show. Several live performances are in circulation. One of three songs recorded at Fillmore Recording Studios in San Francisco on 22 Feb 1970. Former Steel Mill vocalist Robbin Thompson released a cover version in 1986. Sometimes listed as HE'S GUILTY or SEND THAT BOY TO JAIL.

From Brucebase, about the 04 May 1970 at Monmouth College, Long Branch, NJ:

This gig is sometimes referred to as "Kent State Massacre Show", referring to the fact it took place the very evening following the shooting deaths of several unarmed students by National Guard at Kent State University. The deaths caused protests and civil disturbances in many College and University campuses on this night (and the following two nights). Many scheduled events (particularly rock concerts) on this night ended up being hastily cancelled by school officials across the US. Indeed, there are conflicting reports about whether this Steel Mill show at Monmouth took place. It has been rumored that Bruce opened this show with a blistering 10-minute rendition of the protest anthem FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH. Other rumored songs played include GUILTY, I AM THE DOCTOR, GOIN' DOWN SLOW, and RESURRECTION.

From Brucebase, about the 23 May 1970 performance at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA:

Although it has not surfaced as part of the circulating audio, there are attendee recollections that GUILTY was performed following the opening instrumental KT88. There's an edit so this is quite plausible.

From Brucebase, about the 06 Mar 2003 performance at Richmond Coliseum, Richmond, VA:

According to an Interview with Robbin Thompson in "Upstage News" (Dec 2003), when he arrived at the venue the band were trying to play GUILTY, an old Steel Mill number. He enquired of Bruce if that was what they were gonna do, but Bruce replied that they couldn't remember it.